Hurricane Iota brings mudslides and flooding to Nicaragua
The second Hurricane to hit Nicaragua in two weeks has caused major destruction across the country. We are assessing the impact on the communities we work in but communication remains difficult.
How is COVID-19 threatening rural Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries on the American continent and even prior to the global pandemic it faced a myriad of public health challenges. In rural areas where poverty is most severe less than half the population has access to clean water and hygienic sanitation. According to the US Center for Disease Control, the COVID-19 risk in Nicaragua is high. Yet schools have remained open and businesses continue operating almost as usual. While in urban areas most people now wear masks in public spaces, in rural areas many do not even believe the virus really exists or see it as an urban problem. Most rural communities are located hours away from any health center, and the rural health centers do not have the proper resources to provide quality care against the virus. This is an incredibly dangerous situation where those that have the least stand to lose the most.
Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries on the American continent and even prior to the global pandemic it faced a myriad of public health challenges. In rural areas where poverty is most severe less than half the population has access to clean water and hygienic sanitation. According to the US Center for Disease Control, the COVID-19 risk in Nicaragua is high. Yet schools have remained open and businesses continue operating almost as usual. While in urban areas most people now wear masks in public spaces, in rural areas many do not even believe the virus really exists or see it as an urban problem. Most rural communities are located hours away from any health center, and the rural health centers do not have the proper resources to provide quality care against the virus. This is an incredibly dangerous situation where those that have the least stand to lose the most.
How can Agua Para La Vida Nicaragua help?
For 33 years Agua Para la Vida Nicaragua (APLVN) has been generating holistic water and sanitation projects that are designed and implemented with the active and ongoing participation of communities, as well as the collaboration of local authorities, donors and other NGO partners. Facing the coronavirus crisis head on, APLVN is committed to carrying out our life saving work in the most vulnerable rural communities where we know it is more essential than ever. We understand that access to safe water is key so that people can practice hygiene preventive measures that will help stop the spread of the virus.
For 33 years Agua Para la Vida Nicaragua (APLVN) has been generating holistic water and sanitation projects that are designed and implemented with the active and ongoing participation of communities, as well as the collaboration of local authorities, donors and other NGO partners. Facing the coronavirus crisis head on, APLVN is committed to carrying out our life saving work in the most vulnerable rural communities where we know it is more essential than ever. We understand that access to safe water is key so that people can practice hygiene preventive measures that will help stop the spread of the virus.
Where are we currently working?
We are committed to carrying out our projects in the most vulnerable rural communities so that they can have access to safe water and prevent the spread of the virus, by practicing hygiene preventive measures.
Currently, we are working in four communities where our projects will benefit over 2,500 individuals. We are developing 3 new water systems, improving an existing system and building 121 double pit ventilated latrines.
We are committed to carrying out our projects in the most vulnerable rural communities so that they can have access to safe water and prevent the spread of the virus, by practicing hygiene preventive measures.
Currently, we are working in four communities where our projects will benefit over 2,500 individuals. We are developing 3 new water systems, improving an existing system and building 121 double pit ventilated latrines.
What else are we doing?
We know that the work we have always done is essential to the health and wellbeing of Nicargua’s most vulnerable communities. We also know that in the face of COVID-19, it is not enough. That is why we have launched a campaign to make safe handwashing more accessible and to promote handwashing practices. We designed and distributed a prototype of a portable handwashing station that is 100% foot-operated, to further reduce the risk of contagion by contact. We are equipping our staff and members of the communities where we work with personal protective equipment and offering coronavirus prevention education.
We have also joined together with allied organizations to carry out a nation-wide "Healthy Nicaragua” communication campaign, promoting the message: “Through hygiene with safe water we prevent COVID-19”.
We know that the work we have always done is essential to the health and wellbeing of Nicargua’s most vulnerable communities. We also know that in the face of COVID-19, it is not enough. That is why we have launched a campaign to make safe handwashing more accessible and to promote handwashing practices. We designed and distributed a prototype of a portable handwashing station that is 100% foot-operated, to further reduce the risk of contagion by contact. We are equipping our staff and members of the communities where we work with personal protective equipment and offering coronavirus prevention education.
We have also joined together with allied organizations to carry out a nation-wide "Healthy Nicaragua” communication campaign, promoting the message: “Through hygiene with safe water we prevent COVID-19”.
How can you help?
We need your support to safely continue our work for the duration of the crisis!
We need to raise $20,000 (less than $10 per community member) to continue to equip our technical staff and community members with personal protective equipment, install handwashing stations to promote hygiene and preventive measures and carry out training sessions on COVID-19 prevention, and to safely implement our drinking water and sanitation projects.
We need your support to safely continue our work for the duration of the crisis!
We need to raise $20,000 (less than $10 per community member) to continue to equip our technical staff and community members with personal protective equipment, install handwashing stations to promote hygiene and preventive measures and carry out training sessions on COVID-19 prevention, and to safely implement our drinking water and sanitation projects.